SWERUS-C3: From permafrost thawing to the venting of greenhouse gases

During seven weeks at sea, the researchers focused on the outer part of the shallow East Siberian Arctic Sea with the aim of increasing understanding how thawing permafrost and gas hydrates could represent a carbon-climate feedback, enhancing the ongoing global warming process. For the first time, elevated methane concentrations were detected in the seawater all the way up to the surface along the continental slope.

The icebreaker Oden left Tromsö in Norway on July 5, 2015 and has been traveling along the Russian Arctic coast.

The first leg had the theme “From permafrost thawing to the venting of greenhouse gases”. During seven weeks at sea, the researchers focused on the outer part of the shallow East Siberian Arctic Sea with the aim of increasing understanding how thawing permafrost and gas hydrates could represent a carbon-climate feedback, enhancing the ongoing global warming process. For the first time, elevated methane concentrations were detected in the seawater all the way up to the surface along the continental slope.